Duke star Isaiah Evans is returning to highschool for the 2025-26 season, he introduced on social media on Tuesday. Evans, a former five-star recruit who primarily got here off the bench, averaged 7.0 factors.
The information of Evans returning comes days after Duke famous person Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, declared for the draft. Flagg leaves faculty basketball as probably the greatest one-and-done gamers of the trendy period.
One of many key stay-or-go selections Duke can be monitoring this offseason was guard Caleb Foster. The previous four-star recruit from the 2023 recruiting cycle entered the 2024-25 season as a starter earlier than being changed by Sion James within the beginning lineup.
Foster introduced final week that he might be returning to highschool for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
This information comes simply days after star freshman Kon Knueppel formally declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. Knueppel was the primary Blue Devils participant to announce his draft resolution. Days after Knueppel introduced his intention to enter the draft, star guard Tyrese Proctor additionally declared for the NBA Draft.
Duke has but to make an addition through the switch portal, however that’s anticipated to vary shortly. All eyes now flip to Khaman Maluach to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft earlier than the April 26 deadline.
Heading into 12 months 4 of the Jon Scheyer period, Duke faces loads of questions. With Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach all possible heading to the NBA, the Blue Devils could possibly be a significant overhaul of their beginning lineup once more. James has exhausted his eligibility, and Proctor might be turning professional.
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CBS Sports activities is monitoring the standing of the Duke roster and recruiting class in actual time. This is the place each present Duke participant and commit at present stand.
Duke gamers returning for the 2025-26 season
Caleb Foster | G | Soph.
GP: 38 | PPG: 4.9 | RPG: 1.7 | APG: 1.4
Foster was a starter coming into final season however was changed within the lineup by James. The previous extremely touted recruit from the 2023 recruiting cycle averaged simply 14 minutes per recreation after enjoying over 25 minutes as a freshman. Foster might be returning to Duke for his junior 12 months.
Isaiah Evans | G/F | Fr.
GP: 36 | PPG: 6.8 | RPG: 1.1 | APG: 0.5
Evans has been in comparison with former standout ahead Brandon Ingram. The previous star recruit from the 2024 recruiting cycle noticed the ground sparingly in his freshman season and averaged simply 13.7 minutes. Evans might be returning to Duke for the 2025-26 season.
Isaiah Evans returning to Duke: Former five-star recruit passes on NBA Draft to return again for sophomore season
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Duke gamers but to announce future plans
Maliq Brown | F | Jr.
GP: 26 | PPG: 2.5 | RPG: 3.7 | APG: 1.5
His stats do not justify how beneficial Brown was this previous season. Brown was restricted to simply 26 video games as a consequence of a shoulder damage however was considered one of Duke’s finest defenders when he noticed the court docket. Brown was a key addition to Duke’s portal class final spring.
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Khaman Maluach | C | Fr.
GP: 39 | PPG: 8.6 | RPG: 6.6 | APG: 0.5
Maluach must be a lottery decide when it is all stated and completed. He’s a incredible finisher across the rim, and his dimension makes him powerful to attain on down low. He has one of many highest ceilings of any participant within the 2025 NBA Draft class.
Patrick Ngongba II | C | Fr.
GP: 30 | PPG: 3.9 | RPG: 2.7 | APG: 0.8
The previous four-star recruit averaged 10.6 minutes per recreation and made 30 appearances for the Blue Devils. If Ngongba returns to Duke, his position ought to develop considerably in 12 months 2.
Darren Harris | G/F | Fr.
GP: 21 | PPG: 2.0 | RPG: 1.1 | APG: 0.3
Harris was one other member of Duke’s star-studded 2024 recruiting class. Harris logged simply 21 appearances this previous season. He’s a candidate for a bigger position within the second season of his faculty profession.
Duke gamers not returning in 2025-26
Cooper Flagg (Declared for the NBA Draft)
GP: 37 | PPG: 19.2 | RPG: 7.5 | APG: 4.2
Flagg is formally off to the NBA. The largest query mark surrounding Flagg coming into the season was his offense, and he continued to enhance all year long. Flagg is a no brainer No. 1 total draft decide, and the workforce that wins the lottery subsequent month ought to have a good time for weeks.
Kon Knueppel (Declared for the NBA Draft)
GP: 39 | PPG: 14.4 | RPG: 4.0 | APG: 2.7
Knueppel can be the most effective professional prospect on virtually each workforce within the nation … exterior of the varsity he dedicated to play for. Knueppel is a possible top-10 decide, and his 3-point taking pictures is his greatest power. Knueppel shot 40.6% from past the 3-point line. Knueppel formally declared for the NBA Draft.
Sion James (Out of eligibility)
GP: 39 | PPG: 8.6 | RPG: 4.2 | APG: 2.9
The previous Tulane standout performed only one season with Duke and definitely left his mark on this system. James related on 41.3% of his 3-pointers and was probably the greatest on-ball defenders on the workforce.
Mason Gillis (Out of eligibility)
GP: 37 | PPG: 4.1 | RPG: 2.6 | APG: 0.8
Gillis transferred to Duke final offseason after spending the primary 4 seasons of his profession at Purdue. Gillis joined elite firm as considered one of only a handful of faculty basketball gamers to achieve the Closing 4 with two completely different packages.
Tyrese Proctor (Declared for the NBA Draft)
GP: 38 | PPG: 12.4 | RPG: 3.0 | APG: 2.2
Proctor had one probably the most intriguing stay-or-go selections and elected to enter the NBA draft. Proctor is probably going a second-round decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Duke’s incoming recruiting class
Duke’s 2025 recruiting class is loaded. The Blue Devils completed with the top-ranked recruiting class final cycle, and this upcoming class can also be ranked No. 1 total by 247Sports. The headliner of this class is five-star ahead Cameron Boozer, the son of Duke and NBA legend Carlos Boozer. Cameron’s brother, Cayden Boozer, can also be a member of this upcoming recruiting class.
No. 3 Cameron Boozer
Boozer is a projected top-three decide within the 2026 NBA Draft and is likely one of the most completed gamers in highschool basketball. Not many packages have the luxurious of changing the No. 1 total decide within the NBA Draft with one other stud ahead with future NBA Draft pedigree of their very own, however the Blue Devils are on that shortlist.
No. 15 Nikolas Khamenia
The five-star ahead out of Studio Metropolis, Calif., was a McDonald’s All-American choice. He dedicated to Duke over UCLA, Arizona, North Carolina and Gonzaga, amongst others.
No. 24 Cayden Boozer
The brother of Cameron Boozer is a incredible prospect in his personal proper. Boozer, the No. 24 total participant within the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports, dedicated to Duke over Miami. Boozer ought to present Duke with beneficial guard depth subsequent season.
Duke recruits not dedicated
No. 14 Shelton Henderson
The five-star ahead out of Bellaire, Texas, has nice dimension for the ahead place with a 6-10 wingspan. It was reported on Thursday that Henderson might be looking for his launch from his NLI.